Sam Altman has a plan: give 5 percent of OpenAI’s equity to a US sovereign wealth fund. That’s according to the Financial Times, which reported the proposal on July 2. At OpenAI’s current $852 billion valuation, the stake would be worth roughly $42.6 billion.
The reasoning
Altman argues that the wealth generated by AI should be shared with the public. A sovereign fund could distribute returns directly to citizens — regardless of existing wealth or access to capital. OpenAI outlined the concept in an April policy paper titled “Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age.”
Not just OpenAI
The proposal envisions other AI companies making similar contributions — Anthropic, Google, and Meta are named as potential participants. The whole thing would be channeled through a sovereign wealth fund vehicle, somewhat like Norway’s approach to oil revenues.
The political angle
Trump confirmed in June that he’d discussed “concepts” with Altman where “the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.” But any formal implementation would likely require congressional approval. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a far more aggressive alternative — a one-time 50 percent tax on AI company stock.
My take
It sounds generous on the surface. But it’s also strategically smart: OpenAI is buying political goodwill in Washington. Five percent is a manageable price if it takes regulatory pressure off the table. Whether other AI companies voluntarily follow suit is another question entirely. Anthropic hasn’t commented. And the odds of Congress quickly passing a suitable framework? Let’s just say they’re modest.
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